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Softonic review

By James Thornton

Very good

8

The Android version of Skype allows you to make free or cheap voice and video calls on your phone.

A full Skype experience (nearly)

This mobile version of the popular VOIP app uses a WiFi or 3G connection (WiFi only in the US) to connect you to friends and family via Skype. Besides calling, you can use the text chat feature to exchange instant messages with other Skype users, send media, and record video messages to send to individuals or groups.

Just like the desktop version, Skype for Android is very simple to set up and use. Once you've registered or signed in, you'll be given a virtual tour explaining exactly what you can do with the app. When getting started, you can choose to sync contacts. Contacts can be grouped, which makes things much easier if you have lots of friends.

If you haven't checked in on Skype for Android in a while, it is also worth noting that it has been significantly improved since it released. You can now make group calls, create calendar events so you never forget to make a call, and open Microsoft Office files directly from the app.

Great, and still improving

Skype's user interface is very clear and straightforward. There are icons at the bottom of the screen for calling and chatting, and a context menu for adding people or numbers. The main window in Skype 4 for Android is dedicated to contacts, allowing you to display all Skype contacts, favorite contacts and your recent activity. You can switch between these lists by swiping left or right across the screen.

Skype for Android includes video calling, allowing you to chat face-to-face with your buddies, even if they are using another platform. The app includes SMS support, allowing you to send text messages to mobile phones through it.

The interface of the tablet version of Skype for Android is really attractive and offers you easy access to all your contacts. The video chat window is excellent. It lets you display the sidebar during a call, so you can access other functions while you talk on video.

A problem with Skype on the Android is that it can't be closed very easily because there is no Quit option. Instead, you have to kill the app using an external task manager. Fortunately, recent versions of Skype for Android have brought enhancements designed to improve battery usage of the application. According to the developer these 'aggressive battery savings' will allow users to leave Skype running without any noticeable effect on battery life.

Great to chat with other Skypers

Skype for Android is very useful and offers an easy way to make cheap calls. However, it's still generally not as cheap as some other VOIP services.

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